An Ohio Senate committee held its first hearing Tuesday on a proposal to suspend the state's gas tax for 90 days, with Republican leaders seeking an emergency clause so the change would take effect at once. Sponsors are Sens. Michele Reynolds of Canal Winchester and Jane Timken of Jackson Township, who are carrying Senate Bill 475.
Backers say the break would eliminate the state rate of 38.5 cents per gallon on gas and 47 cents on diesel. Reynolds calculated that a 20-gallon fill-up would save a driver roughly $7.70. After an earlier plan to tap Ohio Department of Transportation surplus cash stalled — Gov. Mike DeWine opposed it — lawmakers turned to the general revenue fund for about $725 million to offset lost revenue.
Democrats on the committee disputed how much the holiday would help, citing AAA's figure of $4.27 for Ohio's average gas price on Sept. 29. Sen. Willis Blackshear of Dayton asked why the legislature is acting now rather than last spring, when he said prices first jumped. Sen. Bill DeMora described the effort as a gimmick connected to the governor's race and said he would not vote for it.
Senators expect the measure to clear committee Wednesday and reach the floor that afternoon. House lawmakers are slated to introduce a companion bill Wednesday, with a session scheduled later in the day. The idea originated with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton and was then taken up by Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy and Senate President Rob McColley.